I haven't bought any train tickets in advance, so in terms of buying tickets at the train station:

if I use Trenitalia as my timetable guide, will it be possible to just show up at the train station 45 min before each departure and expect to be able to purchase a ticket for that time?

For example I'm planning to leave Venice on March 11, stop in Florence for a day, and then take the train to Rome around 8 PM.

I'd really appreciate any tips on train station use in Italy. Thank you!

Yes, you can; trains very rarely sell out. But you'd save time and hassle if you bought the two legs Venice-Florence and Florence-Rome at the same time. You can buy them at the station from multilingual kiosks or at a travel agency that shows the Trenitalia logo.

Your ticket gives you a reserved seat and is only valid on the train you bought it for.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-questions.cfm


I asked a train question for a Venice to Rome trip, but many of the answers and links might help you as well.

I agree with Zerlina. The train station in Venice is usually busy but there were always plenty of tickets sales people when we were there. If it's possible to avoid lunch hours and high commuter periods (just as you would at home), do so. Almost all larger stations have an information room with bilingual people who will write down the ticket info for you if you have language issues.

HI N,

You could buy your tickets upon arriving in Venice.

When you get to Florence SMN, the left luggage office is to your right as you face the trains.

Enjoy your visit.

No need to stand in ticket lines at a major station. Just use the ticket machines. The larger stations have touch screen machines in English. The first half of this video shows the old machines and the second half the touch screen.
http://www.webvisionitaly.com/search.php?&pages=30#

Easy to use the ticket machines. We have booked seats 1/2 hour before the train leaves. Have never had a problem. Have to be aware of major holidays though and watch out for strikes. The strikes usually only last 24 hours and they have to be publicized 2wks in advance I believe. There are several websites that list the strikes and when. We've never had a problem,(except in France),but something to be aware of. Slowtrav.com has a great review of train travel in Italy.

Why would you not buy the tkts online?

You seem to know exactly when you want to travel, so why not book?

On those routes I think you can travel "ticketless" IE you book online and print your own voucher: on the train, the conductor checks your Personal Reservation Number (it is on the voucher) and you are all set.

If you buy 7 days in advance (perhaps no longer an option for you) you get 15% off. 15 days in advance, it is 30% off.

I just booked and printed tkts for Rome-Florence on March 12th. It really was easy.

To book, though, you have to registar with Trenitalia -- a matter of 5 minutes.

tedgale - Did you use a US credit card?

Thank you everyone, I'm going to try to get all the train tickets I need in Venice when I arrive.

I absolutely procrastinated planning this trip, am leaving in 2 days and have no printer... so no way to deal with buying the tickets last minute!

ira thank you, that bit of information is very helpful!

Tedgale is Canadian and presumably used a Canadian credit card.